J Korean Soc Spine Surg.  1998 May;5(1):47-52.

Differences of Fracture Patterns by the Level of the Thoracolumbar and Lumbar Burst Fractures

• Shin BJ
• Kim BW
• Kim YI
• Rah SK

Abstract

STUDY DESIGN: Surgically treated thirty-five Denis type B thoracolumbar and lumbar burst fractures were assessed to compare the differences of fracture patterns by the level of fracture.
OBJECTIVE
To know the major surgical indications according to the level of fracture. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: General operative indications of thoracolumbar and lumbar burst fractures were collapse of anterior body height more than 40-50%, kyphotic deformity more than 30 degrees, canal encroachment more than 50% and neurologic deficit. But we could not apply the same surgical indications to the whole thoraco]embar and lumbar burst fractures because their fracture patterns are different. METHODS: We compared the collapse of anterior body height, collapse of posterior body height, Cobb angle, wedge angle, canal encroachment and incidence of posterior injury according to the level of fracture.
RESULTS
The higher the level of fracture, the more the collapse of anterior body height, Cobb angle, wedge angle and incidence of posterior injury But the lower the level of fracture, the more the canal encroachment.
CONCLUSIONS
These results mean that the primary surgical indications for thoracolumbar junction are collapse of anterior body height, possibility of posterior injury and increased kyphosis, while for the lower lumbar fractures, amount of canal encroachment is an important factor to make decision for surgery.

MeSH Terms

Body Height
Congenital Abnormalities
Incidence
Kyphosis
Neurologic Manifestations